Programmable Logical Controller (PLC) is also a general-purpose automatic control device based on the processor, which is used to complete various logic operations and sequence control of CNC machine tools, such as machine tool start-stop, workpiece clamping, tool replacement, coolant switch and other auxiliary actions. The PLC also accepts instructions from the machine tool operation panel: on the one hand, it directly controls the movement of the machine tool, and on the other hand, it sends the relevant instructions to the CNC for process control. The PLC in the CNC system is available in built-in and stand-alone types.
The operation of the CNC machine tool is realized through the man-machine operation panel, which is composed of a CNC panel and a machine tool panel.
The CNC panel is the operation panel of the CNC system, which is composed of a display and a manual data input (MDI) keyboard, also known as the MD panel. The lower part of the monitor is permanently equipped with a menu selector for selecting menus. In addition to various symbols, numbers and functions, the keyboard can also be set with user-defined health. The operator can realize system management through the keyboard and display, and input, store and edit the CNC program and related data. During processing, the screen can dynamically display the system status and fault diagnosis reports. In addition, NC programs and data can also be accessed via disk or communication interface box.
The machine tool operation panel is mainly used for the operation of the machine tool in manual mode, and the operation of the machine tool in automatic mode or thousands of pre-plans. There are various buttons and selection switches on it, which are used for starting and stopping in machine tools and auxiliary equipment, processing mode selection, speed magnification selection, etc.; There are also digital tubes and signal displays. The operation panel of small and medium-sized CNC machine tools is often made as a whole with the CNC panel, but there is a clear boundary between the two. The communication interface of the CNC system, such as the serial interface, is permanent and on the machine operation panel.